Connecticut foster care and adoption guidelines
Thanks for considering adoption and/or fostering. Please feel free to contact the Connecticut Alliance of Foster & Adoptive Families.
On this page:
- State contact information
- Foster and adoption licensing requirements
- Agency contact information
- Post-adoption support services
- Information on Connecticut's waiting children
State contact information
Phone (teléfono): 1-888-543-4376 (KIDHERO)
Email (correo electrónico): kidhero@cafafct.org
Website: Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Foster and adoption licensing requirements
Connecticut’s children are primarily in care because of abuse or neglect. They come from all ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. They are individual children as well as sibling groups. Children who need a foster parent range in age from infant to 18 years old.
As a prospective parent, you are expected to be a role model for the child, develop positive self-esteem, assist in the transportation to and from medical appointments, and provide educational support. The minimum qualifications are:
- You must be 21 or older
- Able to provide a loving, supportive home environment
- Have sufficient income to meet your own financial needs
- Must be of good character (local police and FBI check required)
- Able to attend 10-week training program with modified programs possibly available (couples, including partners, are required to become licensed and attend all training sessions)
- Must have a completed homestudy
- Have two or more bedrooms in home (foster children can share the same bedroom with a child of similar age and sex, but not the same bed)
The benefits to adoption are:
- No legal fees for public adoptions
- Financial and medical benefits are available for the child until adoption is finalized
- Eligibility for adoption tax credit
Agency contact information
The Connecticut Department of Children and Families is your public agency and has local offices based on your region.
A number of private agencies (17 KB PDF) have contracts with the department to provide foster care for children who have extraordinary emotional, behavioral, or medical needs. Foster parents approved by these agencies receive on-going support and training. These agencies operate under somewhat different treatment models so expectations, training, and monthly reimbursement to foster parents may vary.
Some private provider agencies are Permanency Placement Services Programs (98 KB PDF) and work with adoption.
Post-adoption support services
Locate post-adoption and guardianship support services in Connecticut, including parent support groups.
Information on Connecticut's waiting children
On any given day, there are more than 4,000 children in foster care, many of whom are in need of permanent homes.
To learn more about children available for adoption, please contact the Connecticut Department of Children and Families by calling 1-888-543-4376 (KIDHERO).
Upcoming events
Search for upcoming events and open houses on the Connecticut DCF website.